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The Skilled Trades Training Fund (STTF) awards grants to employers to assist in training, developing and retaining current employees and individuals to be hired. Training is customized to meet employee skill requirements and is short-term in duration, preferably less than three months, with no training extending more than six months.

Skilled Trades Training Fund application process
will open in Fall 2018 with 2019 Fiscal Year funding.

The Talent Investment Agency (TIA) grants the funds to employers through Michigan’s workforce system, commonly known as Michigan Works! Agencies (MWA). MWA Business Services staff conduct fact-finding sessions with employers to assess their talent skill gaps, suitable training providers and availability of federal funding sources. The MWA Business Services staff can then determine whether STTF grants would be appropriate to help close the skills gap. During the application period MWAs submit STTF applications to TIA on behalf of their partnering employer. For more information about the STTF, review the Program Overview, Fact Sheet, and Frequently Asked Questions.

Featured Impact Stories:

Weber Specialties Adds New STTF Funded Tool & Die Apprentice
Weber Specialties of Schoolcraft is a metal stamping and fabrication employer that relies on the expertise of its skilled trades staff. “We’ve been looking for a toolmaker to hire for quite some time. Toolmakers just don’t exist out there anymore. With the $3,000 STTF grant we’ve been able to promote from within and develop a toolmaker in our environment,” states Brien Stewart. “The apprenticeship is the perfect opportunity for me. It has definitely changed my life for the better,” replied John Riley.

Capital Communications Staff Trained in Connected Vehicles Foundations
Capital Communications of Plymouth is a provider for AT&T in the state of Michigan, supplying engineering, furnishing and installation services for approximately 450 central office locations and nearly 2,000 cellular mobility sites. A $16,500 STTF grant provided training for 11 employees to attend a very comprehensive training course specifically geared toward the Connected Vehicle foundations. According to Connected Vehicle Trade Association and SAE International, the connected vehicle industry will create 500,000 jobs by 2020. The STTF funded training puts Capital Communications in prime position for excelling in this new marketplace.

Advanced Auto Trends
Located in Snover, Advanced Auto Trends (AATI) is a supplier of molded plastic components focusing on the automotive industry. With a $16,289 STTF award, a total of 14 employees completed training in a number of technical training sessions such as Molding Essentials and Math for Molders. This was the first time AATI brought in outside trainers into their facility and there was a tremendous value in getting everyone on the same page. As a result of the training AATI has seen improvements in trouble shooting and machine maintenance.